NASA Texas 2004 Season Opener - March 6-7!

[Adam Ginsberg]

Ok folks, time to register. The first full season of CMC, AI and AIX racing is a short 31 days away!

There will be a group dyno session on March 5, held at:

Kwik Kar Lube and Tube
Owner David Houser
(972) 644-1851
1851 N. Jupiter RD.
Richardson, TX 75081

If your planning to dyno your car that day, please let us know - we want to make sure everyone that needs to get dyno'd, does.

NASA Texas is now accepting registration for this event. HPDE, RaceCraft/Licensing, and all the race classes will be running. Forms available from the NASA Texas website (www.nasatx.com/main.asp).

Get all your paperwork ( membership, medicals, license forms, etc ) turned into the NASA National office in CA now and avoid the rush.

If you are a first time racer with NASA this season, you must apply for your Provisional Competition License. If you already have a full competition license, you must renew your existing license. Memberships are valid for a 365 day ( one year ) period, expiring on the date you last paid for your membership. Licenses are valid for one full calendar year, and must be renewed at the beginning of the new year ( now! ).

*****NOTE*****

Do not bring your membership/licensing paperwork to the track the weekend of the event. All licensing and memberships are handled through the national office in California - if you bring it to the track, there isn't anything the NASA Texas people can do with it.

Membership:

$35 for a one year period, expiring on the date you last paid for your membership. To become a NASA member, or renew an existing membership, please visit the following link: https://www.nasaproracing.com/joinrenew.html

You can pay for your NASA membership/renewal online, very easily.

Licensing -

You need to have the following items submited to the NASA National office in California no later then 3 weeks prior to the first race ( 06-07 March 2004 ):

Rookie/Provisional Competition License:

1. NASA membership ( you can sign up online at - https://www.nasaproracing.com/joinrenew.html ).
2. License application w/NASA member number ( available at - http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/rules-forms/form_provisional_license.pdf ).
3. Completed NASA medical form ( available at - http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/rules-forms/form_medical.pdf ).
4. Copy of any/all competition licenses w/other sanctioning bodies ( SCCA, COMMA, FIA, etc ), and a copy/list of previous track experience/driving school experience.
5. Copy of a valid state drivers license.
6. Passport photo or digital image.
7. Check for $50 license fee.

Renewal for existing NASA competition license:

1. NASA membership ( you can sign up online at - https://www.nasaproracing.com/joinrenew.html ).
2. License renewal application w/NASA member number ( available at - http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/rules-forms/form_comp_license.pdf ).
3. Copy of a valid state drivers license.
4. Passport photo or digital image.
5. Check for $50 license fee.

Regular mailing address for ALL required forms:

National Auto Sport Association
P.O. Box 21555
Richmond, CA 94820-1555

If you require assistance with any of the forms, licensing, registration, etc, please contact me via email, PM, carrier pidgeon, Morse Code, etc. We'll do our best to get your ready for March!

Club discounts available for 10 or more cars. Please contact me for additional information.

See you at Motorsport Ranch in March.

[ozzeran]

IF you sign up for full prov license, how much will the race cost to enter at MSR in March? Also will my car even though it's slow be run with faster ones cuz of mods? If the entry is somewhat affordable for an unemployed guy this March then i'm going to sign up for a license.

96 gt with bolt ons and springs.

[Adam Ginsberg]

ozzeran - regardless of how you enter ( HPDE/RaceCraft, or true race class ), the costs are the same. As of right now, there seems to be some discrepancy regarding the actual entrance fee - it's listed in some places as $260 for the weekend, and $270 on the entry form. My understanding is it's still $260 for a full weekend. But, we'll get clarification about that ASAP.

Here's the deal regarding "racing" - if you have a current competition license with an approved sanctioning body ( SCCA, FIA, COMMA, NASA, etc ), and your paperwork is up to date, and turned in, we will get you checked out with an instructor. If he approves, you're cleared to actually "race" ( much different then open tracking ).

If you do not currently possess a competition license, you will have to enter the HPDE/RaceCraft school. This gets you on the track, with an instructor. All HPDE/RaceCraft track time counts towards your full competition license. However, you have to get all your paperwork filled out, and submitted to the CA office no less then 3 week prior to the event.

Also, in order to actually "race", your car, and you, must pass the safety inspection - proper roll cage, driver suit, helmet, etc, etc. If you don't have the proper safety gear, you must remain in HPDE.

[ozzeran]

Ok for that $260 will i get HDPE that weekend? Also i don't / won't get a roll cage for this car anytime soon so guess I won't be doing AI anytime soon.

[Adam Ginsberg]

ozzeran - yes, for your $260, you'll get a full weekend of HPDE driving.

While I understand you don't/won't put a cage in your car, safety is a huge thing with use ( for obvious reasons ), so no cage = no AI racing.

Not trying to sound cold, but that's the way it has to be.

Hope to see you out there in March!

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by Adam Ginsberg
ozzeran - yes, for your $260, you'll get a full weekend of HPDE driving.While it doesn't sound as exciting, HPDE is a Hell of a lot of fun. Come on out!

While I understand you don't/won't put a cage in your car, safety is a huge thing with use ( for obvious reasons ), so no cage = no AI racing.

Not trying to sound cold, but that's the way it has to be.Not cold at all. There's not a road racing sanctioning body in the jworld that'll let someone race without a cage (except maybe karts...)

Hope to see you out there in March! One way or another (AI or Racecraft,) I'll be there. I'll drive the Audi if I have to!!

Right now I'm getting together ordering information on everything I still need (about $1600 worth.) Once the money shows up, the orders go out!

-- RK

[TRAXX]

Ill mark this on my calender. Do they have open time trialing? I doubt my car will be running by then but one could hope right?:)

At the very least, it would be cool to just watch like last time.

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by TRAXX
Ill mark this on my calender. Do they have open time trialing?I'm not sure what you mean by "time trialing". As far as I know, they have: HPDE - High Performance Driver's Education. this gets you out on the track with an instructor (usually,) and teaches you how to drive a car safely on a race track. You'll learn about the line, breaking points, apexing a corner and other things. This is where we all started out. If your car passes a safety inspection and you have an approved helmet (see the web site for more info,) then you're good to go.
Racecraft -- Kind of like advanced HPDE where the training focuses more on race skills and preparation for NASA competition.
Competitive races. You must have a competition license or provisional license to compete, along with a car that passes the safety inspection for race cars and meets the race class's requirements.
I'll be in the Racecraft class on Saturday, and if the car's ready and I'm ready (fingers crossed!) I'll be racing on Sunday.

[aggie97]

Originally posted by gt40mkII
you have an approved helmet I'll be racing on Sunday.

I am assuming they are going to require Snell 2000 helmets now?

I have a Snell 95 helmet but I think it may be time for a correct competition helmet instead of the Motorcycle helmet I have now. I busted the visor anyway.

If I can square away a few more bucks to cover my tax bill for this year, I might try one of the events in April or May........Need to go sell some blood!!!

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by aggie97
I am assuming they are going to require Snell 2000 helmets now?Nope. From the 2004 CCR:

15.16.3 Helmet
All drivers are required to wear an approved helmet while on track. Helmets must be
approved by Snell and carry a sticker of Snell 95 (SA1995) or better. Ratings other
than that of “SA” (Special Application), i.e. “M1995, M2000”, are not acceptable.The CCR generally covres racing. HPDE MAY be a little more leniant and allow M95 helmets, but you should check with NASA officials.

I have a Snell 95 helmet but I think it may be time for a correct competition helmet instead of the Motorcycle helmet I have now. I busted the visor anyway.Now would be a good time. I doubt you helmet would pass tech with a broken visor, but they may let you run HPDE without it in an enclosed car. Again, check with NASA.

-- RK

[Darren M]

Originally posted by TRAXX
Ill mark this on my calender.
Won't have the cash to run this and another HPDE that I'm already committed to. However I am going to try and make it out just to watch for a bit.

Thanks for the post Adam! Any others from Suck it racing going to be attending?

[Adam Ginsberg]

There are several SuckIt (r) members that will be racing/working on a comp license that weekend, plus I'm sure a few others in HPDE/RaceCraft.

Be sure to come out anyway! If you do, come over and introduce yourself to the racers. More then likely, we'll all be pitting together at the top of the track, near the paddock/grid area. Just look for ~15-20 Mustangs and Camaros, ready to get after it! ;)

BTW - cost to enter is now $270 per event. Cost to spectate - food and beverages for the CMC, AI and AIX racers. LOL. ;)

Seriously tho, there is no cost to spectators.

[RyanB]

Originally posted by TRAXX


At the very least, it would be cool to just watch like last time.

SHotgun!

[Adam Ginsberg]

The official write is being completed by Todd ( CMC/AI Director ), but this is my more personal story. Race results ( winners in AI and CMC ) will be announced in the official version.

Since coming back from our extended 16 day vacation on Jan 2 from Hawaii, we've spent the last 2 months getting Texas CMC #05 ready for battle. Tore the motor down to a short block for new E7 heads, new stock cam, new stock roller lifters, Edelbrock Performer intake, stock headers, new timing set, water pump, tune up, remove Holley Annihilator ignition, etc. As well as put in a complete A/S brake system - 12" PBR/Cobra front brakes, 11" Cobra rears, Cobra MC and booster, new rims, new harnesses.....MasterCard loves me, but my at least one of my neighbors don't ( unloaded the race car at 9pm on a Saturday night and the local gendarmes showed up ). :D

Suffice it to say, there has been a ton of work done to the car. Hell, I even waxed it!!

Friday, 5 Mar 2004: Dyno day at Kwik Kar in Richardson. Mike Patterson, Wayne Manor, John George, Todd Covini, Richard Pedersen, Richard Dickey and I showed up to prove our cars are legal for 2004. :D

After some significant motor changes to my car, I managed to pick up nearly all the HP allowed in CMC. From a dismal 177/235 in August 2003 to a much more gratifying 222/270. Numbers that made me happy. However, I discovered my ignition problem hadn't gone away - we had to push my car off the dyno rack. I let it sit for ~15 minutes, and it fired right up. Same symptoms as before. :confused:

Loaded the car up, went home to get the rest of our stuff, change tow vehicles, load up the family, and head out to MSR. Got to the track, unloaded, grabbed dinner, checked into the hotel, and went to bed!

Saturday, 6 Mar 2004: We were up early ( the family slept in ), had our drivers meeting, and got ready for practice. Weather was bright, sunny, light winds. Headed out, got about 6 laps in....and the car died again. No spark. :mad: Ran out to AutoZone during lunch, picked up a new distributor. Got back just as they were gridding G6 for qualifying. Dropped the dizzy in, timed it real fast, suited up, and got out on track just as they were finishing the warm up lap. Qualified.....last.

Race #1 was a standing start - my first, and what a rush. No damage as we all drag raced into Rattlesnake. I learned to take Rattlesnake 2 cars wide. Dayum! DNF race 1 as I cut a brand new tire on an inner fender lip. Came back in, and christaylor's dad lent me a single-jack to "address the problem". Put on my full treads in front, and got ready for race #2.

Rolling start for #2 - DNF'd when the DF Cobra caliper got hung up and wouldn't release the rotor. Came into the pits, and it finally released. LT came over to help.....we decided to leave it for the night ( it was SMOKE'n hot! ).

Dinner was at a local Mexican restaurant with most of the CMC/AI racers, plus family members.

Sunday, 7 Mar 2004: A bit more cloudy, still sunny, but lots of wind. In my discussions with LT regarding the caliper, we decided to simply push the pistons back into the caliper, bleed the brakes, and see how it responded.

Put my 2 shaved Toyos on the front with the full treads on back, and headed out to qualify. Todd and I did a lead/follow that was a HUGE help. Enough help that I actually qualified ahead of him with a personal best of 1:31.xxx! Brakes felt fine, car ran good, but the rear made noise coming into the pits. Was fine on the track, but made some grinding noise when making a sharp, slow speed turn. ?? Eric Varner came over to help try and diagnose the problem, but it seemed to operate fine, so we left it alone.

Race #1 was a rolling start again, and Todd jumped past me - big time. I need to learn starts better.....anyway, brakes and ignition were fine, but my water temp gauge began acting up. Not sure what the deal was ( oil temp stayed around 260 ), I dialed it back a tad so I could finish the race - DFL in CMC.

Race #1 had Joe Johnson in his 2000 Cobra R join us for his first NASA race, as did David Donovan in his new AI Mustang. Bobby Archer also showed up to run his Viper on Sunday, making for a very fast field.

Race #2 still showed some late cooling issues, so I took the same strategy as race 1. Dialed back the right pedal so I could finish the race.

I learned so much this weekend, it's incredible. Taking Rattlesnake 2 wide ( with Jay Matus in a FFR! ) is quite a challenge. Learned NOT to lift when the rear begins to step out - stay in the gas, and drove it out. Took Ricochet too wide, got into the grass, stuck with it, and drove it out. Dropped 2 seconds off my previous best lap time. Tried a different line into Rattlesnake ( eh....needs more work ), drove out of Horseshoe in 3rd, short-shifted into 4th to take the next 2 turns and into the back straight carrying more speed then I ever have before. Having video from in my car makes all the difference, as it allows me to critique my line, gear selection, etc. Great learning aid.

Carnage - Wayne Manor ( AI ) killed his Keith Craft 331 R-block. He lost a valve, which put a hole in the #5 piston on Saturday. Hopefully, he'll have something back together for Round #2 @ TWS in April.

Huge thanks to Lewis Tanner for all of his assistance, and parts getting on Sunday, as well as Richard Pedersen ( tech'ing cars ), Todd Covini ( lead/follow ), Chris Taylor ( use of single-jack to fix my car ), Bud Sharp ( fueling ), Chris Lyons ( tire pressures ), Robert King ( pictures taking while I swapped dizzys ), and all the CMC and AI guys.

I know I met aggie97, plus a few more DFWStang'ers that my failing memory simply can't recall. Thanks for coming out!

Also, a hearty, mega thanks to my family for being there. A dad couldn't ask for a better pit crew then my 13 year old son, Seth. He helped change tires, bleed brakes, strap me into the car, get the video camera rolling, got up early Sunday to attend the drivers meeting.........you name it, he was willing to help.

It was great racing with EVERYONE this weekend, and I can't wait for TWS.

Pics and videos in part II.....

[Adam Ginsberg]

Video of race #1 on Saturday:

Saturday standing start (http://mustangers.daltindesigns.com/nasa-tx-msr-standing-start-6-mar-2004.mpg). Right click, save as.

Video #1 from Eric Varner (http://eric.nittos-place.com/clip4.mpg). Right click, save as

Video #2 from Eric Varner (http://eric.nittos-place.com/clip4.mpg). Right click, save as

Pics of our Friday Dyno Sessions to verify class legality:

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/adam-dyno.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/wayne-manor-dyno.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/mike-patterson-dyno.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/richard-pedersen-dyno.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/todd-covini-dyno.jpg

Track side pics:

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/pits.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/pit-crew.jpg

And Wayne's carnage.....

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/wm-head.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/wm-block.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/wm-piston.jpg

Next race is 3-4 April 2004 @ Texas World Speedway in College Station, TX. See you there!

[aggie97]

thanks for the update Adam. I was a dumbass and forgot my sunscreen and I have been paying for it bad the last few days. Some major burns on the face but I will survive.

Which car was Wayne's that blew up? Suxx to be him.....

I am finishing up my 4 pt cage by this weekend and plan on heading out to our first Autox of the season on saturday. I found that I will have to add moving my battery again since the cage is going to hit it but no big deal I guess. I might try to attend the HPDE in CS in april, but I will have to see what funding is available.

thanks for the interductions and I learned a bunch about what you guys are doing with factory stock parts.....Amazing!!! I also wished I had brought my car just to use Mike's scales!!!

See you around.

Matt